ECDC training programme workshop on “Development of public health programmes for prevention and control of seasonal influenza” taking place in Stockholm October 8-10th 2012.

The ECDC training course “Development of public health programmes for prevention and control of seasonal influenza” supports the Council Recommendation 2009/1019/EU 2009 on seasonal influenza vaccination Council Recommendation 2009/1019/EU of 22 December 2009 on seasonal influenza vaccination that encourages EU and EEA Member States to adopt and implement national, regional and local action plans or policies, aimed at improving seasonal influenza coverage, including fostering education, training and information exchange on seasonal influenza and vaccination.

Contents: Human seasonal influenza programme planning; Surveillance systems and epidemiological studies; Laboratory issues; Human seasonal influenza policy; Vaccination; Targeting priority groups; Communication; Evaluation of public health programmes on seasonal influenza; and Action planning.

Target audience: The course is aimed at professionals who are running or developing immunisation programmes for prevention of seasonal influenza, or those that intend to develop one soon.

Previous editions were held in Lisbon, 8-10 November 2010, and in Stockholm 10-12 October 2011. Nineteen countries have sent a total of 31 experts to the previous editions of 2010 and 2011, as follows: Austria (1), Belgium (2), Bulgaria (2), Czech Republic (2), Estonia (2), Finland (1), Germany (1), Greece (1), Hungary (2), Latvia (1), Malta (1), Norway (1), Poland (2), Portugal (4), Romania (1), Slovenia (2), Spain (3), Sweden (1) and the United Kingdom (1).

Selection process: The European Commission supports the ECDC in the selection of participants through invitations to the Health Security Committee. The ECDC Competent Bodies are informed as well.

In 2012, participants from countries that didn’t participate yet will have priority. Fifteen places are available. The person should be in a position that enables him or her to orient an action plan to increase vaccination coverage in the respective country and if possible to orient the national training strategy on this area. After applying these criteria, a first come-first served approach will be taken.

ECDC welcomes organisation of similar courses at national and sub-national level and will support countries with advice and material for what is essentially a Trainers of Trainers workshop